Album reviews: Tedeschi Trucks Band and Jeffrey Osborne

Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 07:38 PM.

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After leaving the group L.T.D. for a solo career, Jeffrey Osborne was fortuitous enough to hook up with musician/producer George Duke. Together, these two artists crafted a successful modern-era R&B album that has aged quite well.

The single from this album that put Osborne on the map as a solo artist is the classic “On the Wings of Love,” which is still a massively popular song today. Instead of singing it as a straight ballad, Osborne toys around with the melody without showing off. “On the Wings of Love” would serve as a prototype for all R&B soul ballads for the next decade.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s new album “Mind Made Up” continues the winning streak started with its studio debut “Revelator” and live album “Everybody’s Talking.”

It’s almost not fair to have this much talent in one place: Susan Tedeschi is the greatest living female blues/soul vocalist on the planet, and Derek Trucks (along with fellow Allman Brother Warren Haynes) is one of the best blues/jazz/rock guitarists currently drawing breath.

If that weren’t enough, the TTB also features keyboard player/flautist extraordinaire Kofi Burbridge, vocalist Mike Mattison and a horn section that would make fans of early Stax weep.

“Mind Made Up” isn’t radically different from “Revelator,” although the grooves are a little tighter and more aggressive. Anyone familiar with Trucks’ incendiary guitar improvisations with the Allman Brothers should not look to “Mind Made Up” for the same, as most of the songs come in around the five-minute mark. That being said, it’s not hard to imagine the TTB stretching out on the funky “Whiskey Legs” or “Misunderstood’ in a concert situation.

Susan Tedeschi’s vocals shine throughout “Made Up Mind,” but particularly on the title cut and the acoustic “Calling Out to You.” The melodies are as unpretentious as a dirt road, but they are infectiously haunted.

Also a talented guitarist, Tedeschi is no doubt tired of the comparisons to Bonnie Raitt, but the similarities between the two seem to be unintentional yet unavoidable. If you have to be compared to someone, Bonnie Raitt is great company.

Thankfully, the songwriting quality has not slipped since “Revelator.” For this new collection, Tedeschi and Trucks teamed up with the likes of Doyle Bramhall II, Oliver Wood and Mike Mattison to craft a great set of songs that incorporates blues, soul, jazz and rock. The song best suited for multiple repeated listening is the traffic-like “Idle Wind,” which is propelled by Trucks’ driving acoustic guitar and sinewy flute playing by Burbridge.

“Made Up Mind” is another winner for the TTB. These guys and this gal didn’t invent soul, jazz or the blues, but the way they meld the genres is unique. Hopefully, the record buying public will pay attention.

Classic album: Jeffrey Osborne

Artist: Jeffrey Osborne

Label: A&M

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

After leaving the group L.T.D. for a solo career, Jeffrey Osborne was fortuitous enough to hook up with musician/producer George Duke. Together, these two artists crafted a successful modern-era R&B album that has aged quite well.

The single from this album that put Osborne on the map as a solo artist is the classic “On the Wings of Love,” which is still a massively popular song today. Instead of singing it as a straight ballad, Osborne toys around with the melody without showing off. “On the Wings of Love” would serve as a prototype for all R&B soul ballads for the next decade.

Even though George Duke made his bones working with Frank Zappa, the man knew how to produce a commercial album. The streamlined but never slick style favored by Duke was a perfect match for Osborne’s soaring vocals, as evidenced on “Eenie Meenie” and “You Were Made to Love.”

In 2013, it’s almost jarring to hear untouched, untreated vocals on a modern R&B song. It’s evident Osborne had the pipes to deliver the material without any need for studio trickery or a wall of back-up singers.

The album ends on a high with the earnest piano ballad “Congratulations,” which may be the greatest vocal Osborne has ever recorded. There’s no fake machismo or over the top vocal gymnastics; just a very talented singer performing a great song.

To his credit, Osborne stuck to his guns throughout his career and never glommed onto the fashions of the day. With a voice like his, there’s no need to pander.

Jon Dawson’s album reviews appear every Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com. Purchase Jon's book 'Making Gravy in Public' at jondawson.com.